Alien Pox Cyphastrea
Cyphastrea sp
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Water parameters
Water parameters are being added.
About Alien Pox Cyphastrea
General information
In general, species from Cyphastrea are fast growing when you compare it to other mound-building corals. They usually grow in an encrusting form and can visually see a difference in size within 6 months. Newbies can cultivate Cyphastrea since they are easy to care and maintain. They can grow in a wide range of water condition and are noted to survive even in low nutrient level.
For the Alien Pox Cyphastrea, they are predominatly colored green with pink circles at the tips. This are the water parameters for cultivating Alien Pox Cyphastrea:
- Calcium: 420 – 440 ppm
- Alkalinity: 2.8 – 3.39 MEQ/L (8 – 9.5 dKH)
- Phosphates: < 0.1 ppm
- Nitrates: > 10 ppm
- Magnesium: 1260 – 1350
- pH: 8.1 – 8.4
- Temperature: 75° – 80° F (23° – 27° C)
- Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.024 – 1.026 but ideally at 1.025 for maximum growth
Note: incase you have an algal outbreak in your tank, all you need to do is to gradually increase the magnesium level at 1400 – 1600 ppm. We also recommend doing a water change to combat the negative effects, especially if the nitrate level exceed 10 ppm.
Diet & nutrition
While they enjoy the photosynthetic benefits brought by the symbiotic zooxanthellae living inside them, Alien Pox Cyphastrea still needs supplemental feeding such as mysis, artemia, copepods and other nauplii.
Determining sex
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Alien Pox Cyphastrea. In setting them in the tank, you need to place them over an exposed rock where they can start their encrusting process. Putty or gel glue can be used to firmly mount them. For best results, we recommend you place them in the lower portion of the tank where there is moderate water flow and moderate lighting.
Breeding & spawning
The Alien Pox Cyphastrea DOES NOT require strong water flow and intense lighting. Usually placing them on the lower level of the tank would do the trick.
Origination
The Alien Pox Cyphastrea is widely spread throughout the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Cautions
Do not place the Alien Pox Cyphastrea on the upper part of the tank. By doing so, you will expose them to high water flow and intense lighting, which in effect, causes a stunted growth.
Acclimation process
Alien Pox Cyphastrea are purely marine, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.024 to 1.026 specific gravity. But for best results, maintan the salinity at 1.205 specific gravity. They should be placed in their permanent position immediately after acclimation to facilitate the encrusting process.
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